When he was at table with them, he took the bread. He blessed the bread, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him!(Luke 24:13-35)

Sunday, April 23, 2023

Try to remember the big picture

 

Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.  [John 6:27]

There’s a joke about a couple who were driving down the freeway at 75 MPH when the wife says to her husband “I think we’re lost.”  Her husband says, “That’s OK we’re making great time!”  Although it’s a funny joke, it’s also the story of so many of us today!  We’re so very busy but spend little time considering where we’re going and hurrying to get there.

John’s Gospel has Jesus telling us we’re heading for eternal life [John 6:22-29].  So many of our concerns have little or no relation to the unending life Jesus promises us.  “Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life.”   The New Testament talks about the next life around 300 times!

When Jesus came many, even religious people, had no concept of the next life.  Many people thought at most that the next life was very foggy.  “Who praises You among the dead?” [Psalm 5:5] 

Many of the Jewish People to whom Jesus preached believed in the next life like the Pharisees.  But even to this day many orthodox have serious doubts about the resurrection of the dead.  So when Jesus taught He really emphasized “Eternal Life” by parables—the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21), the Last Judgement [Matthew 25:31-46], etc.

Jesus reassured us so many times to live in such a way that we have endless life ahead of us!  One of the biggest mistakes we can make on this earth is to think that death is the end of our existence!  It’s the door of our eternal life with Jesus!

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” [John 14:1]

“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.” [John 14:2]

“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” [John 14:3]

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